Water ski holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for storage of water skis adjacent the exposed engine on small to medium sized inboard motor boats. The holder is comprised of two separate carrying surfaces which are anchored above the engine by support members. Existing fixtures of the engine are used to secure the support members to the engine. The water skis assume a position approximately parallel with the bottom of the boat when they are placed in the holder and a resilient member secures the water skis to the holder.

United States Patent [191 Page WATER SKI HOLDER [75] lnventor: StewartE. Page, Huntington Beach,

[21] Appl. No.: 387,359

[52] US. CL... 9/310 R, 114/235 WS. 280/1137 K.

211/60 SK [51] Int. Cl. A63c 11/02 [58] Field of Search 114/235 WS;9/310 R; 280/1137 A, 11.37 K; 224/45 S, 5 Z, 42.1 R; 21 1/60 SK [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.018397 1/1962 Carlyle 211/60 SK3021.917 2/1962 Holt t 114/235 WS 3.155.238 1l/1964 Bennett 211/60 SK3.227.339 1/1966 Stockwell 280/1137 K 3,338,422 8/1967 Hickok 211/60 SK3.378.182 4/1968 McMiller 211/60 SK 3.701.436 10/1972 Adams 1. 280/1137K FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 298,725 5/1954 Switzerland. 280/] 1.37K 268.122 1/1969 Austria 211/60 SK Primary Examiner-George E. A.'Halvosa Assistant ExaminerEdward R. Kazenske [57] ABSTRACT A holder forstorage of water skis adjacent the exposed engine on small to mediumsized inboard motor boats. The holder is comprised of two separatecarrying surfaces which are anchored above the engine by supportmembers. Existing fixtures of the engine are used to secure the supportmembers to the engine. The water skis assume a position approximatelyparallel with the bottom of the boat when they are placed in the holderand a resilient member secures the water skis to the holder.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to the field of water ski equipment and more particularly tostorage equipment on a boat for placement of water skis when they arenot in use. The storage of water skis on a boat has always presented aproblem especially in smaller boats or speed boats which are utilized totow water skiers. Even though space in smaller boats such as these isquite limited, the normal place water skis are placed during nonuse ison the boat floor. This not only further limits the already limitedavailable space, but also presents a hazard to passengers who may bemoving from one section of the boat to another.

There is also the danger of losing a water ski overboard when they areleft loosely sitting on the floor of the boat. Quite often these smallerboats are also used by their owners to go fishing or pleasure cruising;therefore, the existence of water skis on the boat floor curtails thespace which could otherwise be used for fish ing equipment or picnicnecessities, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To avoid the water ski storage problemsdiscussed above the present invention utilizes the available space abovea sport inboard motor boat of the type which has the upper portion ofits engine exposed, by attaching two corresponding carrying surfaces orcross members to the engine by separate sets of support members securedto the exposed portion of the engine. The water skis rest on theserespective carrying surfaces. To anchor the water skis to the carryingsurfaces a resilient member is placed over the water skis after they areplaced on the carrying surfaces.

The utilization of this area above the inboard engine results in makingavailable more space in the boat which would otherwise have beenoccupied by the water skis. The elimination of water skis looselyresting on the boat bottom promotes the safety of the passengers whocould slip and be injured as a result of the loose water skis.

The connection of the water ski holder directly onto existing hardwareof the engine avoids having to make new attachment points on the boatwhich is more costly and could present more obstacles to the boats usersor passengers. The placement of the water skis above the engine alsoremoves the skis from other areas in the boat which would otherwisepresent an obstacle to persons getting into and out of the boat. Theorientation of the water skis in a position somewhat parallel to theboat bottom when they are placed in the holder gives an astheticaerodynamic appearance which is important to speed boat enthusiasts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of aninboard motor boat with the water ski holder attached to the engine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water ski holder;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the water ski holder attached to theengine;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the water ski holder attached to the engine;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the water ski holder attached to theengine;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the connecting sleeve end ofthe support legs; and

FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the removable connection of theresilient member on the carrying member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a typical smallto medium sized speed boat 10 is shown with an exposed inboard engine 12located to the rear of the boat behind the passenger area 14. Attachedto the engine 12 is a water ski holder or rack 16 carrying a water ski18.

' rying member or support surface 24 is partitioned into three sections,including a central horizontalsurface or portion 28 and two inclinedsurfaces or portions 30 and 32 extending down from each end of thecentral portion 28. The carrying member 24 is oriented generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boat. Separating the twoinclined portions 30 and 32 from the central horizontal portion 28 andlocated on the lower extreme ends 34 and 36 of each of the inclinedportions 30 and 32 are spacer flanges 38. Biasedly stretched over thetop of the forward carrying member 24 is a resilient member 40 which isreleasably connected at each end 34 and 36 of the inclined portions 30and 32. The spacer flanges 38 maintain the resilient member 40 slightlyabove the respective central portion 28 and the inclined portions 30 and32 in order to allow space for the water skis to rest.

As shown in FIG. 7, at each end 34 and 36 of the respective inclinedportions 30 and 32 is a retaining flange 42 which is positioned belowthe respective spacer flanges 38. Incorporated into each retainingflange 42 is a slot 44. Attached to each end of the resilient member40.is an anchoring lug 46 which has a larger cross sectional area thanthe resilient member 40. Because the size of the slot 44 is designed tobe smaller than the anchoring lug 46, but large enough for the resilientmember 40, the resilience of the resilient member 40 will bias theanchoring lug 46 against the inside surface 48 of the retaining flange42 when the resilient member is stretched over the spacer flanges 38 andslipped into the slot 44 of the retaining flange 42. Placed over the topportion of the forward carrying member 24, including the spacer flanges38 is a protective matting 50 to prevent any damage to the water skiswhen placed on the carrying member.

As shown in FIG. 2, vertical support legs 52 and 54 extending down frombelow the central horizontal portion 28 are used to maintain the forwardcarrying member 24 above the engine. At the lower ends of the supportlegs 52 and 54 are connecting sleeves 56 and 58, respectively, shown inmore detail in FIG. 6. These connecting sleeves 56 and 58 are used tosecure the support legs 52 and 54 adjacent the timing chain cover 60 ofthe engine 12 as shown in FIG. 3. The bolts which normally secure thetiming chain cover 60 are removed and longer bolts 62 are insertedthrough the connecting sleeves 56 and 58 and threaded into the existingapertures in the engine 12 for mounting the timing chain cover 60.

With respect to FIG. 2, the support legs 52 and 54 each have ananchoring strut 64 and 66, respectively, which are also shown in FIG. 4.These struts angle down from the upper portion of the support legs 52and 54 and connect to the top of the engine to provide additionalstrength to the support legs. The lower end of strut 64 has a connectingsleeve 68 while the lower end of strut 66 has connecting flange 70. Thesleeve 68 and flange 70 are designed in conjunction with the angle andlength of the anchoring struts 64 and 66 to utilize existing boltconnections on the top of the engine.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, stabilizing arms 72 and 74 extend down fromunder each of the respective inclined-portions 30 and 32 and attach atan angle to the respective supporting legs 52 and 54. These arms 72 and74 provide support for the inclined portions 30 and 32.

The rear carrying assembly or rack 22 has a carrying or rack member 26which is identical to the carrying member 24 on the forward carryingassembly or rack 20. Consequently, the identifying members used on therear carrying member 26 correspond to the same elements on the forwardcarrying member 24 and reference should be made to the previousdiscussion for any explanation of the corresponding elements.

Maintaining the rear carrying member 26 above the engine are a pair ofsupport legs 76 and 78 extending down from under the central horizontalportion 28a to the bell housing 80 as shown in FIG. 5. The lower ends ofthe support legs 76 and 78 have connecting sleeves 82 and 84, shown moreclearly in FIG. 2. To connect the lower ends of these support legs 76and 78 to the bell housing 80, the normal bell housing bolts areremoved, and longer bolts 86 are used which extend through therespective sleeves 82 and 84 and into the existing holes in the engine12 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 6 for connecting sleeve 56. Toprovide additional support for the rear carrying member 26 two anchoringstruts 87 and 88 extend down from the upper portion of the support legs76 and 78 at an angle to the top of the engine as shown in FIGS. 2 and4. Connected to the lower ends of the anchoring struts 87 and 88 areconnecting sleeves 90 and 92 through which bolts 94 extend and tie intothe top of the engine 12.

Stabilizing support for the inclined portions 30a and 32a is providedthrough the existence of stabilizing arms 96 and 98 which extend downfrom under the respective inclined portions 30a and 32a and connect tothe respective support legs 76 and 78. Connecting the support legs 76and 78 in an area approximately midway between the carrying member 26and the connecting sleeves 82 and 84 is a cross bar 100. Attached abovethis cross bar is a towing hook 102 for attachment of a water ski towrope, surrounded by a support ring 104.

It is envisioned that the exact configuration of the present inventionwith respect to the size and orientation of the support legs andanchoring struts will vary to conform to various engine models. Oncethis invention is secured to the engine the use of the device is quitesimple. The respective anchoring lugs 46 and 46a are released from theretaining flanges 42 and 42a in order to remove the respective resilientmembers 40 and 40a from the' forward and rear carrying members 24 and26. Water skis are placed on the device with one end resting on theinclined portion 30 and the other end resting on inclined portion 30a.The resilient members 40 and 40a are again stretched over the carryingmembers 24 and 26 and the anchoring lugs 46 and 46a are placed in theretaining flanges 42 and 42a. This will securely hold the water skiwhile not in use. Other skis can be placed on the respective remainingcentral portions 28 and 28a and inclined portions 32 and 32a. The towinghook 102 is of added convenience to provide a place to attach the towingrope when pulling water skiers.

What is claimed is:

1. A water ski holder for attachment to the engine of an inboard motorboat, said holder comprising:

two carrying surfaces for receipt of said water ski;

support legs connecting said carrying surfaces to the front and rearportions of said engine, said legs of sufficient height for said waterski to be above said engine;

an anchor member attached to said legs and to said engine; and

a resilient member releasably connected to said carrying surfaces forholding said water ski on said carrying surface.

2. A water ski holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said carryingsurfaces have a central horizontal portion from which inclined portionsextend down from each end of said central portion, said inclinedportions providing for ready placement and removal of said water ski onsaid carrying surface.

3. A motor attachment for carying water skis in a boat, said attachmentcomprising:

carrying members attached to the front and back portions of said motor,said carrying members hav-- ing an upper surface for receipt of saidwater skis;

support members to maintain said carrying members in a plane above saidmotor, said support members attached to the existing hardware componentsof said motor; anchor struts connected to said support members to securesaid support members to said motor; and resilient members releasablyconnected to each of said carrying members for holding said water skisin a biased manner adjacent said upper surface. 4. A motor attachment asdefined in claim 3, wherein the position of said water skis in saidattachment is generally parallel to the bottom of said boat.

5. A motor attachment as defined in claim 3, wherein said upper surfaceof said carrying member is padded.

6. A water ski holder for attachment to the motor of an inboard motorboat said holder comprising:

a forward carrying member having a support surface for receipt of oneend of said water ski, said support surface connected to one end of apair of legs having their other end attached to the forward end of saidmotor, saidother end of said legs having means for connecting into boltholes in a timing chain cover on said motor, said pair of legs connectedto anchor struts having one end secured to a bolt in the top of saidmotor; and

a rear carrying member having a support surface for receipt of the otherend of said water ski, said support surface connected to one end of apair of legs having their other end attached to the rearward end of saidmotor, said other end of said legs having means for connecting into thebolt holes in a bell housing on said motor, said pair of legs connectedto anchor struts having one end secured to a bolt in the top of saidmotor.

7. A water ski holder as defined in claim 6, wherein said legs are of asufficient height to place said support surfaces of said forward andrear carrying members above said motor.

8. A water ski holder as defined in claim 6, wherein said supportsurfaces have a series of spacer flanges; and a resilient memberreleasably connected to each end of said support surfaces and separatedfrom the support surface by said spacer flanges, said resilient membersecurely retaining said water ski when placed on said carrying member.

9. A water ski holder arrangement comprising:

an inboard engine located in a motor boat, said engine having fastenersto hold the respective parts of the engine together; and

a pair of holding members for carying a water ski and connected to saidinboard motor, each of said pair of holding members having a pair of legmembers supporting a carrying surface with a pair of anchoring membersattached to said pair of leg members, one of said pair of holdingmembers attached to the forward end of said inboard engine to saidfasteners, second of said pair of holding members attached to therearward end of said inboard engine to said fasteners.

10. A water ski holder arrangement comprising:

a motor boat;

an inboard engine within said motor boat;

a forward rack member having a support surface, said rack memberconnected to the forward end of said engine; and

a rear rack member connected to the rearward end of said engine, saidforward and rear rack members having a pair of legs for connection tothe respective front and rear portions of said engine, said legs ofsufficient height to place said support surface of each rack memberabove said engine, said legs secured to the top of said engine by anchormembers, said support surface being for receipt of said water ski andsaid connection of said legs to said respective front and rear portionsof said engine utilizing existing hardware within said engine.

1. A water ski holder for attachment to the engine of an inboard motorboat, said holder comprising: two carrying surfaces for receipt of saidwater ski; support legs connecting said carrying surfaces to the frontand rear portions of said engine, said legs of sufficient height forsaid water ski to be above said engine; An anchor member attached tosaid legs and to said engine; and a resilient member releasablyconnected to said carrying surfaces for holding said water ski on saidcarrying surface.
 2. A water ski holder as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid carrying surfaces have a central horizontal portion from whichinclined portions extend down from each end of said central portion,said inclined portions providing for ready placement and removal of saidwater ski on said carrying surface.
 3. A motor attachment for caryingwater skis in a boat, said attachment comprising: carrying membersattached to the front and back portions of said motor, said carryingmembers having an upper surface for receipt of said water skis; supportmembers to maintain said carrying members in a plane above said motor,said support members attached to the existing hardware components ofsaid motor; anchor struts connected to said support members to securesaid support members to said motor; and resilient members releasablyconnected to each of said carrying members for holding said water skisin a biased manner adjacent said upper surface.
 4. A motor attachment asdefined in claim 3, wherein the position of said water skis in saidattachment is generally parallel to the bottom of said boat.
 5. A motorattachment as defined in claim 3, wherein said upper surface of saidcarrying member is padded.
 6. A water ski holder for attachment to themotor of an inboard motor boat said holder comprising: a forwardcarrying member having a support surface for receipt of one end of saidwater ski, said support surface connected to one end of a pair of legshaving their other end attached to the forward end of said motor, saidother end of said legs having means for connecting into bolt holes in atiming chain cover on said motor, said pair of legs connected to anchorstruts having one end secured to a bolt in the top of said motor; and arear carrying member having a support surface for receipt of the otherend of said water ski, said support surface connected to one end of apair of legs having their other end attached to the rearward end of saidmotor, said other end of said legs having means for connecting into thebolt holes in a bell housing on said motor, said pair of legs connectedto anchor struts having one end secured to a bolt in the top of saidmotor.
 7. A water ski holder as defined in claim 6, wherein said legsare of a sufficient height to place said support surfaces of saidforward and rear carrying members above said motor.
 8. A water skiholder as defined in claim 6, wherein said support surfaces have aseries of spacer flanges; and a resilient member releasably connected toeach end of said support surfaces and separated from the support surfaceby said spacer flanges, said resilient member securely retaining saidwater ski when placed on said carrying member.
 9. A water ski holderarrangement comprising: an inboard engine located in a motor boat, saidengine having fasteners to hold the respective parts of the enginetogether; and a pair of holding members for carying a water ski andconnected to said inboard motor, each of said pair of holding membershaving a pair of leg members supporting a carrying surface with a pairof anchoring members attached to said pair of leg members, one of saidpair of holding members attached to the forward end of said inboardengine to said fasteners, second of said pair of holding membersattached to the rearward end of said inboard engine to said fasteners.10. A water ski holder arrangement comprising: a motor boat; an inboardengine within said motor boat; a forward rack member having a supportsurface, said rack member connected to the forward end of said engine;and a rear rack member connected to the rearward end of said engine,said forward and rear rack members having a pair of legs for connectionto the respective front and rear portions of said engine, said legs ofsuFficient height to place said support surface of each rack memberabove said engine, said legs secured to the top of said engine by anchormembers, said support surface being for receipt of said water ski andsaid connection of said legs to said respective front and rear portionsof said engine utilizing existing hardware within said engine.